Category Archives: How To

Texas weather rarely stabilizes for longer than a week and that can do a number on your car. One thing many auto owners fear most is water damage. Water damage can hide anywhere in the vehicle and many drivers don’t know how to find it. Here’s how to spot water damage in a car from us here at Bates Nissan!

Feel – When examining the interior for water damage after the Texas weather has taken its toll, be sure to look at and feel the carpet, upholstery, and panels for dampness. Any sign of wetness means water da
mage isn’t far off. Ask a professional how to fix the problem.

Listen – Start the engine and listen closely. If you hear any strange noises, make a note of it and take it to a professional right away. Pay special attention to important parts like the starter, power steering unit, and serpentine belt. If any of those parts suffer significant damage, the car won’t run.

Look – Check the headlights and taillights for moisture and small amounts of water. Replace the bulbs accordingly. While you’re at it, check out the air filter as well. If it’s wet, replace it and change the oil for good measure.

Buying a car is likely the second most expensive purchase you’ll make in your life. That’s why it’s incredibly important, especially in 2016, to do proper research. Financing a car isn’t what it used to be but fortunately we here at Bates Nissan know all about financing a new or used car!

Budget – Cars come in all shapes, sizes, and, most importantly, prices. There’s little point in financing a new or used car if you can’t afford the monthly payments. As a general rule, limit your monthly payment to a quarter of your monthly income.

New or Used? – While new cars are shiny and feature that coveted new car smell, used cars can offer the same features with a few extra miles and a lower price. Determine whether a new car is worth the extra money before financing.

Test Drive – Once the research is done, it’s time for the hands-on approach. Take a test drive in the vehicle and make sure you’re comfortable. Unleash your inner child and play with all the switches, dials, knobs, and buttons to your heart’s content. If, at the end, you’re happy, sleep on it and then make your decision.

Moving house is a gigantic task that no one can handle alone, which has ultimately resulted in moving services like Uhaul. While the abundance of innovative technology has changed how we find homes, the actual process of moving still remains an old art form. Here at Bates Nissan, we have some helpful moving tips to help you save money and move easier!

Moving Boxes – Rather than dump a good amount of money on boxes to pack your stuff in, check out places that usually have boxes in bulk. Craigslist, grocery stores, warehouses, and supermarkets usually have excess boxes they just throw away. Taking a few minutes to talk to a manager or supervisor could save you a couple bucks by the time you’re done moving.

First-Night Box – Odds are that once you’ve arrived at your new home, you’ll be too tired to unpack everything. That’s why packing a first-night box could come in handy. Unpacking a single box to get your clothes and coffee maker is easier than unpacking many boxes.

Plastic Wrap – Believe it or not, unloading your dresser isn’t necessary to move. In the interest of saving time, use plastic wrap to keep the drawers shut when moving. Not only will you save time packing, you’ll save time unpacking as well!

Rent the Perfect Vehicle for Moving– Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, having the right vehicle for moving is important. Rent a van or truck from Uhaul or through the Hertz rental car company to guarantee that you will have enough room to pack all of your moving boxes and furniture.

With winter coming up, your car’s odds of getting rusty go way up thanks to the chemicals and moisture all over the place. Follow these tips on how to prevent car rust to keep your beauty in tip top shape.

One of the best things you can do is to keep your car clean. Washing might seem like a miserable thing to do in the winter, but hosing off the salt and chemicals will help a lot, and you can always take it through a car wash so you don’t have to get out.

If you’re surrounded by salt, either from nearby oceans or salted roads, you can spray the underside of your car with a car-safe lubricant or special rust coating to keep the ice from sticking. Salt makes metal rust faster, so clean it off!

Obviously the ideal is to park your car in a garage and away from wet parking lots, but if this isn’t possible, go the extra mile and get a cover for your car and, again, hang onto that rust coating spray. Remember, if you do get rust, it spreads like wildfire, so remove it as quickly as possible! Contact our service department if you have any more questions about preventing or removing rust from your vehicle.

Put together a travel kit. This is simple, yet many people don’t think about it. Make sure to include a portable water bowl and a few toys or a bed. If you’re traveling out of state, it might also be a good idea to bring your pet’s vet records, just in case.

Restrain your pet. You wear a seatbelt, why shouldn’t your pet? In the case of an accident, you want your pet to be properly protected and there are many options for this. You can find in many places harnesses which come with an attachment that can be used just like your seatbelt. Your pet should be able to move comfortably though. However, you don’t want to allow your pet to sit in your lap while you’re driving. If you were in an accident, your pet could be seriously injured or even killed if hit by the airbag, so make sure to keep them in the backseat for their own safety.

Keep your pet safely entertained. Did you know it’s actually bad for your pet’s health to stick their head out your window for extended periods of time? It can cause inner-ear damage and lung infections so it’s best to keep them inside as much as possible. Bringing small treats, bones or toys should keep them entertained while you are driving.

Prepare your pet for the trip. Many people think that medicating their pet would be the best way to do this, however you don’t want to unless your vet says it’s okay. Take their favorite blanket or toy, anything they’re familiar with that can comfort them. Also try giving them a deep tissue massage before starting the trip using lavender oil. To avoid motion sickness, try to feed them three to four hours before the start of your travels and avoid feeding them while you’re in the car. Stick to water only while moving.

Prepare to stop often. Your pet is, most likely, smaller than you which means their bladder is too. Always make sure your pet is on a leash when exiting your vehicle and make sure their tags are up to date. The last thing you want is for your pet to get lost while you’re at a rest stop.

Remember when traveling with pets, you’ll have to do some investigating before hitting the road on whether or not certain hotels allow pets. Here’s a simple site which allows you to search by city to find places that will allow your furry friend. Also remember to never leave your pet in your car for more than a few minutes because your car can get very hot very fast and this is not good for them.